For More Information Contact:
Lance Robertson, 984-4716;
Eugene Water & Electric Board

Freezing rain a reminder to guard against frozen pipes

Last weekend's bout of freezing rain serves as a reminder to make sure your home's water pipes are properly prepared for a more severe cold snap this winter.

Several days of temperatures in the 20s or below can cause water pipes that are not properly insulated to freeze and possibly burst. Given the sub-freezing temperatures over the past 10 days, the Eugene area may be in for a colder-than-usual winter.

The Eugene Water & Electric Board offers the following tips to help homeowners cope with cold weather:

• Insulate all pipes located in unheated areas, such as the garage and garden areas. Inexpensive foam insulation is available at most home-improvement centers.
• Disconnect outside hoses, wrap faucets and cover them with plastic or faucet covers.
• Cover crawl space vents when temperatures dip to 20 or below. Remember to uncover vents when the weather warms up.
• At 20 degrees or less, turn on a small but steady stream of cold water at the inside faucet farthest from the water meter.
• If your pipes freeze and you know where the frozen spot is, wrap the pipe with warm towels, or call EWEB with more tips.
• Never use a flame or hair dryer to thaw frozen pipes.
• If your pipes break, shut off your water using the hand valve. If you cannot get the water turned off, call EWEB's emergency line at 484-2400.

If your outdoor watering system isn't already turned off for the winter, you should do that now. For tips on properly turning off your outdoor system, and other cold weather information, visit the "Prevent Frozen Pipes" section of the web site.